CONSTITUTION, BY-LAWS AND STANDING RULES OF THE
U.S. SUBMARINE VETERANS OF WORLD WAR II
Updated and Revised through October 1994
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I
Name
Section 1. The name of this organization shall be "U. S. Submarine Veterans
of World War II" (Originally incorporated in the State of New Jersey
on February 15, 1956, as "Submarine Veterans of World War II". )
Section 2. The name of the Auxiliary of this organization shall be
known as "Wives of U. S. Submarine Veterans of World War II'' (Adopted,
Hartford Convention, August 1970.)
ARTICLE II
Purpose
The purpose of this organization shall be "To perpetuate the memory of
those shipmates who gave their lives in Submarine Warfare: to further promote
and keep alive the spirit and unity that existed among U. S Navy submarine
crewmen during World War II: to promote sociability, general welfare and
good fellowship among its members: and pledge loyalty and patriotism to
the United States Government.''
ARTICLE III
Membership
Section 1. Regular Membership is restricted to those Officers and Enlisted
men who served in U.S. Navy Submarines and/or US. Navy Relief Crews who
were on active duty within the period December 7, 1941 to December 31,
1946, inclusive.
Section 2. Charter members Those members having been accepted for membership
prior to and including the closing day of the second National Convention
1956, will hereafter be considered as charter members of this Organization.
Section 3. Upon recommendation of the Executive Board and voting procedure
set down in the By-Laws. any person who renders a notable service to this
Organization may be awarded an Honorary Membership. Such Honorary Members
are not entitled to vote or hold office.
(a) All candidates' names, plus details of their aid to the Organization,
shall be submitted to the Executive Board no later than two (2) months
prior to National Convention.
(b) The Executive Board shall screen all applications one month prior
to the yearly National Convention. and select no more than four (4) candidates
for honorary membership.
(c) Any candidates not selected will automatically be eligible for
renomination for the following year, and if not selected then will be dropped.
(d) The honorary membership will consist of one personalized membership
card in laminated plastic. A scroll shall be issued suitable for
framing, containing the personal history of the type of aid given to the
Organization, by the individual.
(e) All honorary memberships will be for the life of the person.
Section 4. Life memberships are to be available to those members not
yet past their 50th birthday at a cost of $100.00. The same type of membership
to be available to those past their 50th birthday at a cost of $50.00.
Life membership payments to be cash or in installments of $5.00 per month
at option of applicant. All Life Membership Cards to be made of metal or
other permanent material.
Section 5. All members shall be required to be a member of a state
or local chapter of his choice. (Adopted August 11, 1961 )
Section 6. All submarine personnel still on patrol as a result of World
War II shall be made perpetual members. (Adopted August 11. 1961 )
ARTICLE IV
Meetings
Section 1. A National Convention shall be held once each year at a time
prescribed in the By-Laws.
Section 2. Executive Board Meetings may be called and held at such
time and place as the Executive Board may designate.
Section 3, All members of this organization when holding regularly
scheduled meetings. whether they be Chapter, State, Regional or National
Meetings, will observe one moment of silence in memory of the fifty two
U. S. Navy submarines and all U. S. Navy submariners who lost their lives
in World War 11.
ARTICLE V
Annual Dues
Every active member of this organization shall pay annual dues as prescribed
in the By-Laws of this organization
ARTICLE VI
Officers
Section 1. The officers of this organization shall be: President, 1st Vice
President, 2nd Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer. Recording Secretary.
Historian, Public Affairs Officer, National Chaplains. Memorial Fund Director.
Scholarship Fund Director. and Polaris Editor. All officers, together with
the immediate Past President, shall constitute the Executive Board of the
organization, having general administrative powers. The officers shall
be selected in the manner prescribed in the By-Laws.
(a) The only members of the Executive Board who shall have voting privileges
are those members who are directly elected by the membership at the annual
business meeting. (Adopted August 11, 1961 )
(b) The appointed members of the Executive Board shall act in an advisory
capacity only with no voting privileges. (Adopted August 11, 1961 )
Section 2. The President. 1st Vice President and 2nd Vice President
shall be eligible to immediately succeed themselves to the office to which
they were previously elected for an additional term of one (1) year and
thereafter shall be ineligible to immediately succeed themselves to such
office until the expiration of one (1 ) year after the term of office to
which they were last elected. The 1st Vice President and 2nd Vice President
shall automatically be nominated to the next higher office. (Adopted August
11, 1961 )
Section 3. State commander-Every State in the Union shall have at least
one State Commander.
Said State Commander to be selected in a manner as prescribed and set
down in the By-Laws.
Section 4. Regional Directors Every Region shall have a Regional
Director and Deputy Regional Director to be selected in a manner prescribed
and set down in the By-Laws.
ARTICLE VII
Quorum
Section 1. Two-thirds (2/3) of the delegate voting strength shall constitute
a quorum for the transaction of all business at the National Convention.
Section 2. The majority of the Voting Executive Board shall constitute
a quorum at a meeting of the Executive Board.
ARTICLE VIII
Policy
The organization shall adopt no policy in conflict with the laws and practices
of the United States of America.
ARTICLE IX
Amendments
Section 1. The Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3 ) delegate
vote of the total delegate vote cast at the Business Meeting of the National
Convention.
Section 2. Any and every motion, resolution and/or amendment must carry
a designator indicating whether it requires a simple majority or a two-thirds
(2/3) majority necessary for passage; and this information shall be made
known before any voting shall take place.
ARTICLE X
Memorial Fund
Section 1. There shall be established a Memorial Fund for the purpose of
pursuing the aims of the organization as defined in Article 11 of the Constitution.
Section 2. A Director of said Memorial Fund will be appointed by the
Executive Board annually.
ARTICLE XI
Scholarship Fund
Section 1. There shall be established a Scholarship Fund for the purpose
of pursuing the aims of the organization as defined in Article II of the
Constitution.
Section 2. A Director of said Scholarship Fund will be appointed by
the Executive Board Annually.
ARTICLE XII
(Article XII is now vacant and stands deleted by action of the 1962, 1963,
and 1965 Convention Business Meetings.)
ARTICLE XIII
Delegate Voting
Each state will be allowed one vote for each currently paid member as of
fifteen (15) days prior to opening day of National Convention. These votes
may be sent to the National Convention Business meeting by any current
paid member the State may delegate. including a member from another State;
the vote count to be certified by the Local unit President and/or State
Commander. All ballots to be retained by the National Secretary-Treasurer
for one year.
ARTICLE XIV
National Publication
(Adopted August 11, 1961 )
Section 1. There shall be established the office of Polaris Editor for
the purpose of editing the National publication "POLARIS." (Adopted August
11, 1961 )
Section 2. An editor of said publication will be appointed by the Executive
Board for a term of three years.
Section 3. The editor may succeed himself in office. (Adopted August
11, 1961 )
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I
Rules of Order
The general procedure of meetings of this organization shall be in keeping
with the normal parliamentary procedure set down by "Roberts Rules of Order-Revised."
ARTICLE II
Honorary Membership
May be conferred upon any person by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of present
active Membership.
ARTICLE III
Annual Dues
Section 1. Annual dues will cover the period from August 1, to July 31,
inclusive, which shall constitute the officio! fiscal year of U. S. Submarine
Veterans of World War II.
Section 2. The annual national dues shall be $5.00 payable to the National
Secretary-Treasurer. Should the application of new members not be accepted,
all dues of those applicants shall be refunded.
Section 3. Honorary members of U. S. Submarine Veterans of World War
II shall be exempt from dues.
(The above Article III is written as completely amended August 10,
1963 and further amended August 1972).
ARTICLE IV
Meetings
Section 1. (As amended August 7, 1964, August 1970 and further amended
September 1991.) At least one National Convention shall be held each year
with the time and place determined at the National Convention, three years
in advance. The site shall be elected by a majority vote of the members
present at the annual business meeting. There shall be an appointed Standing
Convention Steering, Committee. consisting of members having; qualifying
experience in hosting our National Conventions. They shall be responsible
for investigation and negotiations with those areas desiring to submit
bids for hosting a National Convention. Those found, to be most accommodating
and best suited will be presented to the membership for a final vote.
Section 2. (Unamended) Executive Board Meetings may be called and held
at such time as the Executive Board may designate.
ARTICLE V
Election of Officers
Section 1. Nominations for the organization's elected offices shall be
made by a nominating committee of four (4) active members, appointed by
the President.
Section 2. Any vacancy in office shall be filled by the Executive Board
and serve the unexpired term.
Section 3. (Added on August 10, 1963) The term of office of all State
Commanders and other State Officers shall be concurrent with that of the
National Officers.
ARTICLE VI
Duties of Officers
Section 1. President The President shall preside at all meetings of the
organization. He shall appoint all committees not otherwise provided for,
subject to approval by the Executive Board. He shall countersign all checks.
Section 2. 1st Vice President and 2nd Vice President in that order
shall in the absence of the President, preside at all meetings and perform
all such duties as pertain to the Office of the President.
Section 3. Secretary-Treasurer As Secretory he shall keep records
of all meetings and of the Executive Board. He shall keep on file a record
of all active members. As treasurer he shall be responsible for the collection
of all dues. He shall have charge of all funds of the organization. He
shall dispense them as authorized by the Executive Board. All checks
drawn on the national treasury shall be signed by the Secretary-Treasurer
and the President. He shall file Internal Revenue Service tax returns and
all other governmental reports as required.
Section 4. Recording Secretary shall assist the Secretary-Treasurer
and the President in all business so connected with the National Organization.
Section 5. HistorianAs Historian he shall keep records of all items
of general interest to the organization. He shall be on appointed officer.
Section 6. Public Affairs Officer As Public Affairs Officer he shall
be responsible for the manner in which the organization's activities are
released to the general public. He shall further devise ways for furthering
the prominence of this organization. He shall be on appointed officer.
Section 7. Tri-Chaplain (3) As a National Chaplain he shall conduct
and hold services at all regularly scheduled meetings. In addition he will
oversee the moral tone of the organization. He shall be an appointed officer.
(A Tri-Chaplain set up Res. 4-73)
ARTICLE VII
State Commanders & Regional Directors
As directed in Article VI. Section 3., Constitution, each and every State
in the Union shall have at least one State Commander. Said Commander shall
be elected by that State's active members. Should any State for any reason,
be without a State Commander, the National Executive Board may take such
action as is deemed necessary to fill the office. Regional Directors shall
be elected by the members of their respective regions.
ARTICLE VIII
Committees
All committees shall be appointed by the President.
ARTICLE IX
Permanent Membership Cards
Membership Card No. 1 - Edward Branin
Membership Card No. 2 - Hugh Trimble
Membership Cord No. 3 - Robert Link
Said membership cards will hereafter be made permanent card numbers
for the above named in recognition of initial efforts in the founding of
the organization.
ARTICLE X
Memorial Fund and Scholarship Fund
Section 1. The Directors of the said Funds shall be responsible for the
ways and means of deriving funds to constitute said Funds.
Section 2. They shall further be responsible for the collection and
recording of all funds pertaining specifically to those activities designated
by the Executive Board concerning said Funds.
Section 3. They shall prepare, prior to the annual National Convention,
a financial statement of funds derived from activities of the previous
year, and submit said statement to the National Secretary-Treasurer.
ARTICLE XI
Amendments
These By Laws may be amended at the annual Business Meeting (National Convention)
of the organization by a majority vote of the delegate votes cast.
ARTICLE XII
Expenses
The National Executive Board may grant the National President fifty (50)
dollars, National Secretary-Treasurer fifty (50) dollars, and the Polaris
Editor twenty-five (25) dollars for each official day of National Convention
attendance for food and lodging if so requested.
The National Secretary/Treasurer shall keep an account of the actual
expenses incurred by each elected member of the E.B. He shall report these
expenses at the Annual General Business Meeting in conjunction with the
Annual General Fund. Simple majority required.
ARTICLE XIII
Standing Rules And Rituals
There shall be established a record to be known as "Standing Rules and
Rituals" for the purpose of having record of resolution and motions not
affecting the Constitution and By-Lows.
ARTICLE XIV
Installation of Officers
Newly elected National Officers shall be installed as part of the National
Convention Banquet ceremonies.
STANDING RULES
No. 1 Honorary Members Resolved:
Honorable Lifetime Memberships will be given to the following persons:
Senator and Mrs. Basil C. Pearce, Florida; Jerry Allen, Florida; George
Gilman, Washington, D.C.: Aurelie Dwyer, New York City, N.Y.; George Huddleston,
Alabama; Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz; Frank Corallino, Groton. Connecticut;
Harry S. Truman, Bernard A. Bastura, Mrs. Elsie Lee Skylstead, William
MccKenzie, Australia; Barry Goldwater, Arizona; James Oberstar, Minnesota;
Carlos Moorhead, California; John J. Rhodes, Arizona; William Badders,
California; Ronald Reagan, California.
No. 2 Fifty Two Lost Boat Ceremony Resolved:
The presiding officer of any organized meeting may elect to have the
names of the 52 submarines lost in World War II read in the order of their
loss and the tolling of a muted ship's bell after each name is read.
No. 3 Approval of Constitution and By-Laws Resolved:
The present Constitution and By Laws with amendments approved at 1958
National Convention approved.
No. 4 Scholarship Eligibility Requirements Resolved:
The U.S. Submarine Veterans of World War II hereby establish a Scholarship
Fund to be awarded to one or more sons or daughters of the United States
Submariners who served aboard U.S. Submarines or Relief Crews from December
7, 1941 through December 31, 1946, (Res. 1-79), to be chosen in the following
priority: 1. Those sons or daughters, who meet the requirements, of shipmates
who gave their lives aboard U.S. Submarines during World War II; and 2.
Those sons or daughters of members of the U.S. Submarine Veterans of World
War II: who meet the requirements based upon scholarship and need of financial
assistance.
No. 5 Resolved:
The American flag and the U.S. Submarine Veterans of World War II flag
be in a prominent display at all times in the meeting room.
Be it further resolved that the Pledge of Allegiance be given at the
opening of every business meeting.
No. 6 Organization Correspondence and Printed Matter Resolved:
The words "OF WORLD WAR II" and/or "OF W.W. II" must appear after the
words "U.S. Submarine Veterans" on all printed or written matter pertaining
to, referring to, or otherwise associated with the U.S. Submarine Veterans
of World War II.
No. 7 Resolution Submittal Resolved:
A: Resolutions shall be presented in writing to the National Resolutions
Committee no later than 31 January prior to the National business meeting.
B: The National Resolutions Committee shall in its report to the National
business meeting, submit to the membership for its consideration those
resolutions which have been received prior to the deadline. It shall further
report any resolutions that were not received on time. These resolutions
shall then be turned over to the next National Resolutions Committee.
C; The editor of Polaris shall include the first issue of Polaris following
the National Business Meeting, all resolutions which were presented to
the membership for consideration but which were ruled-out-of-order for
lack of publication in Polaris because of late submittal.
D: Editor of Polaris shall in March (or comparable) issue, publish
the resolutions to be presented at the coming National Business Meeting
for consideration of the membership.
No. 8 Corrected Statement of Purpose Resolved:
All material now printed and posted with the word "voluntarily" remain
as is, and in use, and the statement of purpose correctly reproduced in
any future printings.
No. 9 Regional Directors Expense Resolved:
The National Secretary-Treasurer shall reimburse the Regional Directors
for all their operational expenses.
No. 10 Sons and Daughters
If at any time the sons and daughters of U.S. Submarine Veterans of
WWII desire to become an affiliate organization of the U.S. Submarine Veterans
of WW II, we give our authorization for them to organize as a group and
we will assist and help them fulfill their endeavors to the best of our
ability.
No. 11 Life Membership Award Resolved:
RADM. Leon J. Huffman awarded a Life Membership in the U.S. Submarine
Veterans of WWII, for his outstanding work as Scholarship director.
No. 12 Vest Resolved 1986
The vest, as adopted and accepted by each State Chapter, shall be considered
as official uniform. The National U.S. Submarine Veterans of World War
II Logo and State identification Logo must be worn on the vest.
No. 13 Digger Hat Resolved 1986
The Digger Hat, as stocked and supplied by the National Memorial Director,
shall be considered official uniform. The hat must have the National Logo
of the U.S. Submarine Veterans of World War II, a white leather and state
identification slug affixed.
No. 14 Notional Memorials Resolved 1987
The following U.S. Submarine Memorials shall be designated U.S. Submarine.
Veterans WWII National Submarine Memorials:
1. Memorial located at Groton, Connecticut.
2. Memorial located at Seal Beach, California.
No. 15 Annual Scholarships Resolved 1987
There shall be established three annual Scholarships honoring the following
member:
1 Admiral "Savvy" Huffman, USN/Ret.
2. Lt. Cdr. H.T. VandeKerkhoff, USNR/Ret.
3. Capt. Arthur Rawson, Jr. USN/Ret.
No.16 Lost Boat Plaque Resolved 1988
The Lost Boat Plaque, PFS, 1960, be adopted as the official design
of the U.S. Submarine Veterans WW II.
No. 17 Copies of Minutes Resolved 1992
A copy of the Minutes of all Executive Board Minutes shall be furnished
to all Regional Directors and all State Commanders, within forty five (45)
days after the completion of each such Board meeting.
NOTE: These Standing Rules were revised by PNP Bob Fleet 10/94 with
authority of the NEEB.